Masonic Music

Herewith a little piece I have written on Masonic Music. Maybe you will
find it interesting:

By ANDREW M BERGMAN, Lodge Mutual #53 GL South Africa

(Quoting sources from H.C.Robbins Landon)

IN THE 18th century Western Europe was swept with Freemasonry,
membership of the Brotherhood being not only popular, but also highly
fashionable. This was no less true in musical circles.

On 5 December 1784 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was proposed for membership
in the Viennese Lodge "Zur Wohltatigkeit".

On 14 December, he was accepted as an Entered Apprentice. Ten days later
he visited the most noteworthy Austrian Lodge of all, "Zur wahren
Eintracht", of which the Grand Master was the famous humanitarian
scientist Ignaz von Born.

Interestingly enough, Mozart probably persuaded his friend Haydn to
become a Mason, and Haydn was supposed to be initiated in the
fashionable Lodge "Zur wahren Eintracht" on 28 January 1785.

Mozart was there to receive Haydn, but the news had reached Eszterhaza
Castle (where Haydn was Kapellmeister to Prince Esterhazy) too late, and
Haydn's reception was therefore postponed.

On 11 February, Haydn was initiated but Mozart could not attend since he
playing the premiere of his D minor concerto K466 at the Mehlgrube in
Vienna. At the end of March Leopold Mozart (Wolfgang's father) also
joined the Mason's and was rapidly promoted to Master by special
dispensation. To complete this distinguished society of 18th century
musical Masons, one should perhaps add that Beethoven was also a
Freemason.

In the turmoil of the was with France, the Austrians grew panicky about
"secret societies" and in the mid 1790s Masonry was forbidden in Austria
and remained so until the end of World War I. The hard world of
Metternich's "Realpolitik" could tolerate no society which was dedicated
to the brotherhood of man and supposedly "to the abolition of political
borders".

Mozart has left us a considerable heritage of Masonic pieces, most of
them intended for actual use in Viennese Lodges.

As Mozart was not officially affiliated to any of the big Viennese
churches, Mozart wrote some of his most interesting music for the Great
Architect. There are even those who say that in his opera "The Magic
Flute", Mozart fell foul of the Lodges as a result of some mystical
imagery which could well be interpreted as "revealing secrets of
Freemasonry". The fact is that any Masonic imagery used by Mozart could
only be seen by Masons. This is no more that Shakespeare did, often
creating a little "laugh on the side" for his Brethren, that would not
be picked up by non-Masons.

On the CD entitled "Freimaurermusik" (Masonic Music [Decca 425 722-2]),
much of Mozart's Lodge Music is preserved.

The cover depicts a reproduction of a painting by an anonymous artist
from the "Historisches Museum der Stadt Wien" of a scene from a Viennese
Lodge. South Africa Masons who are familiar with the differences
between the rituals in various Constitutions will agree that the layout
of this Temple is more similar to our South African/Netherlandic models
than either English, Scottish or Irish.

Tracks include "O heiliges Band der Freundschaft treuer Bruder" (Oh,
holy bond of the friendship of true Brothers) and the "Gesellenreise"
(the Journey of the Fellowcraft) which sings "Die ihr einem neuen Grade
der Erkenntnis nun euch naht..." (You who now approach a new Degree of
understanding...).

Special "Maurerische Trauermusik" for a Lodge of Mourning underlines the
specific use for which Mozart penned his notes.

Tenor Werner Krenn, baritone Tom Krause and the Edinburgh Festival
Chorus sing with the London Symphony Orchestra under the Baton of Istvan
Kertasz - a memorable musical experience, even for non-Masons.

An indespensible asset to the collection of any Director of Music, the
insert leaflet gives translations of the songs in English, French and
Italian. The CD is available (probably on order only) from any good
classical music store.